BRITISH SPORT PAST AND PRESENT 



Long time he, following cautious, scans the fly ; 

 And oft attempts to seize it, but as oft 

 The dimpled water speaks his jealous fear. 

 At last, while haply o'er the shaded sun 

 Passes a cloud, he desperate takes the death, 

 With sullen plunge. At once he darts along. 

 Deep struck, and runs out all the lengthened line ; 

 Then seeks the farthest ooze, the sheltering weed. 

 The cavern'd bank, his old secure abode ; 

 And flies aloft, and flounces round the pool. 

 Indignant of the guile. With yielding hand 

 That feels him still, yet to his furious course 

 Gives way, you now retiring, following now 

 Across the stream, exhaust his idle rage : 

 Till floating broad upon his breathless side. 

 And to his fate abandon'd, to the shore 

 You gaily drag your unresisting prize. 



James Thomson, 1728. 



196 



